Kevin Trapp has emerged as the latest goalkeeper to attract the attention of Manchester United, who have already submitted an offer for his signature.
According to German outlet Sport Bild, Manchester United ‘want to sign’ Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Kevin Trapp this summer and ‘have already made an offer’ for the 32-year-old German international.
David de Gea has been excellent for the Red Devils over the years. But there is a belief that he requires competition from a solid deputy after making blunders earlier this season. The Spaniard has typically struggled with the ball at his feet, and there is a school of thought that Manchester United will be better off with a ball-playing goalkeeper to suit Erik ten Hag’s system.
Manchester United have let Dean Henderson join Nottingham Forest on loan, leaving Tom Heaton as the only senior keeper other than de Gea. Borussia Monchengladbach’s Swiss shot-stopper Yann Sommer is being considered to fill the vacancy. But the Switzerland No. 1 may not be content with a bench role in a World Cup year.
Keeping that in mind, various other alternative options are emerging, from Norwich City’s Tim Krul to Watford’s Daniel Bachmann. According to Bild, Manchester United are interested in another Bundesliga-based goalkeeper, with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Kevin Trapp the subject of a formal offer from the Red Devils.
Trapp would come with plenty of experience, having previously played at the highest level with Paris Saint-Germain before returning to his homeland back in 2018 after struggling for consistency at Parc des Princes. The 32-year-old has six caps for the German national side and has been Frankfurt’s No. 1 for five seasons now since returning to the Bundesliga in 2018.
Trapp featured in all but two of the Eagles’ Bundesliga games last season. Even though Frankfurt ended 11th on the table, the 32-year-old helped them qualify for the UEFA Champions League by conquering the Europa League. He played an important role in his team’s Europa League campaign, including a spectacular display in the final against Rangers.
Now, the German international, who still has two years left to run on his contract with Frankfurt, has a decision to make about his future with a long-term offer on the table from Manchester United. He would be a competent goalkeeper to challenge for de Gea’s spot and will suit ten Hag’s style of play thanks to his quality on the ball.
However, Trapp is battling for a spot in Germany’s World Cup squad, so it would be surprising if he agreed to come to Manchester United as the deputy goalkeeper. On the flip side, the 32-year-old is now approaching the twilight of his career, and a lucrative long-term contract might be too tempting to turn down for the German shot-stopper.
As things stand, it is ‘unclear’ whether Manchester United’s bid will be successful and how the Bundesliga outfit respond to the offer. Bild also does not provide any information about the value of the offer. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out in the coming days.